SMS Terms & Opt-In Policy

1. Program Description

Kawthar (operated by Kawthar Systems LLC) is a community platform for the Muslim community in the Chicago area. Our SMS program sends transactional messages only to members who have asked for them. We do not send marketing or promotional text messages.

There are exactly three kinds of message:

• Phone verification codes. A one-time 6-digit code, sent when you add a phone number to your account, so we can confirm the number belongs to you.
• Event reminders.A reminder before an event you personally RSVP'd to on Kawthar — sent only if you turn this on after verifying your number.
• Voting reminders. If you build a voting plan in the Kawthar Voter Center — choosing a polling place and a time to vote yourself — we can text you a reminder of that plan on the day, and afterwards ask whether you were able to vote so we know to stop reminding you. These are strictly non-partisan logistics: they repeat back the place and time you chose. Kawthar never tells you who or what to vote for, and never sends messages on behalf of a candidate, party, or campaign.

2. How to Opt In

Opt-in happens in your own account settings, and it always takes a deliberate action from you. Nobody can enroll a number on your behalf: the only message we send to an unverified number is the one-time code you asked for by entering that number, and reminder texts go only to a number that has completed verification.

1. Sign in to your Kawthar account and go to Dashboard → Settings.
2. Find the “SMS event reminders” section, where the disclosure in Section 3 is displayed.
3. Enter your mobile number and press “Send code.” Submitting your number is your consent to receive the one-time verification code.
4. Enter the 6-digit code we text you and press “Verify.”
5. Only after your number is verified does the SMS event reminders toggle become usable. It is off by default — turning it on is a separate, explicit action, and it is the only thing that authorizes reminder texts.

Voting reminders are opted into separately, in the Kawthar Voter Center, and only as part of building a voting plan: you pick the polling place and the time yourself, then choose to be texted about it. A verified number alone never receives a voting text, and turning on event reminders never turns on voting reminders.

3. Disclosure Shown at Opt-In

This is the exact text a member sees next to the opt-in control before enrolling. Because opt-in happens inside a signed-in account, the screens themselves are reproduced at kawthar.app/sms-terms/opt-in-proof.

SMS event reminders

A text before events you RSVP'd to — at most 2 messages per event you RSVP to (one a day before, one an hour before), and none if you never RSVP. Standard message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for assistance. Your mobile information will not be sold or shared with third parties for promotional or marketing purposes.

SMS voting reminders

A text reminding you of the polling place and time you chose, on the day you chose, plus one follow-up asking whether you were able to vote — at most 2 messages per election. Non-partisan logistics only: never who or what to vote for, and never on behalf of a candidate, party, or campaign. Standard message and data rates may apply. Reply STOP to opt out, HELP for assistance. Your mobile information will not be sold or shared with third parties for promotional or marketing purposes.

4. Message Frequency

Message frequency may vary and depends entirely on your own activity. Verification codes are sent only when you request one. Event reminders are sent only for events you RSVP'd to — at most one reminder about 24 hours before and one about an hour before each such event. Members who never RSVP to an event receive no reminder texts at all.

Voting reminders are capped per election: at most two messages for any one voting plan — the reminder at the time you picked, and a single follow-up asking whether you voted. If you answer, or if you do not answer, we do not ask again. Members who never build a voting plan receive no voting texts at all, and elections are infrequent by nature.

5. Cost

Kawthar does not charge you for text messages. Standard message and data rates may apply, depending on your mobile carrier and plan.

6. How to Opt Out (STOP) and Get Help (HELP)

• STOP — reply STOP to any message to stop receiving texts. You can also switch the SMS reminders toggle off, or remove your phone number entirely, in Dashboard → Settings. Removing your number also turns reminders off automatically.
• HELP — reply HELP for assistance, or email us at [email protected].

Opting out of texts does not affect your Kawthar account or your email notifications.

7. Your Mobile Information

No mobile information will be sold or shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. Your number is shared with our SMS delivery provider only to transmit the messages described above, and never for their own marketing. Text messaging originator opt-in data and consent are not shared with any third party.

8. More Information

See our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Questions about this SMS program can go to [email protected].